Posted on Monday 14th Oct 2024
Schools are walking an attendance tightrope as the government ratchets up pressure on reducing stubbornly high absence rates – but parents are becoming more vocal in their opposition to measures to get kids back in the classroom post-Covid. Schools Week investigates …
Schools are having to apologise and scramble to dampen parental anger over proposed attendance policies. In one case, a parent took to social media to tell a secondary: “You do not own my child.”
Leaders say the incident is indicative of heads put in an “impossible position”, as the government increases the pressure to get pupils back into class.
Education secretary Bridget Phillipson has described absence levels as an “emergency”, with analysis suggesting it has become a bigger issue during inspections.
Parents’ views have changed in a post-Covid world. Research conducted by consultancy Thinks Insight & Strategy, cited by the Department for Education, shows parents “consider small periods of absence from school manageable” and are more concerned about “spreading illnesses”.
Can't find what you are looking for?
Don't worry, please call us anyway to discuss your ideal job.
Latest News
08/07/25Children with special needs will 'always' have 'legal right' to support, education secretary says
Bridget Phillipson seeks to dampen a looming row over whether the government could scrap tailored plans for children with special needs - as some Labour MPs fear a repeat of the welfare row.
07/07/25Government urged to keep education plans for children with special needs
Ministers are facing calls to not cut education plans for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (Send). Campaigners say education, health and care plans (EHCPs) are "precious legal protections", warning that thousands of children could lose access to education if the plans are abolished.
26/06/25Councils face millions in extra Send costs as overhaul delayed
Cash-strapped councils in England will be hit with hundreds of millions of pounds in extra costs after the government delayed tackling the £5bn deficits spent supporting children and young people with special needs and disabilities.
25/06/25Rachel Reeves visits Kent to discuss free school meals and building more schools in county
Chancellor Rachel Reeves discussed the policies on a visit to a Kent school
17/06/25Record 1 in 5 pupils in England getting special education needs support
Nearly one in five pupils in England are receiving support for special educational needs (SEN) in the classroom, according to government statistics. It comes as separate statistics show a sharp rise in the number of tribunals concerning special educational needs support, as parents challenge the support on offer for their child. Teaching unions say systemic change in special educational needs provision is "urgently needed" for schools and students.
News Archive